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What if a cannabis business could do more than grow a plant? What if it could help bring a family back onto their land, create jobs and change the opportunities available to future generations? In this episode of AusCannaPodcast, I’m joined by Longo Reo Te Kooro, founder of Aho Farms, a Māori-owned medicinal cannabis company based on Māori land in Hawke’s Bay, Aotearoa New Zealand. Longo’s journey took him from studying law in New Zealand to playing American football in California. After a serious shoulder injury introduced him to cannabis as a way to manage pain, he found himself drawn into the commercial cannabis industry, learning cultivation and building the experience he would eventually bring home. But coming home was about much more than starting a cannabis company. We talk about reconnecting with whenua, the meaning behind the name Aho Farms, and the vision of creating a commercially viable business that can benefit Māori whānau. Longo shares how the business has created employment opportunities for his own family, and why he sees Aho as a vehicle for something much bigger than profit. We also get personal about cannabis stigma, including the family experience that changed how his relatives viewed the plant and its potential role in supporting quality of life. For the industry watchers, we get into the practical realities of New Zealand’s medicinal cannabis market, from patient affordability and access to the regulatory costs facing cultivators. We discuss why Longo believes the current system has room to change, and how better pathways could benefit both producers and patients. This is a conversation about cannabis, culture, business and the responsibility that comes with building something on the land your ancestors walked. Because sometimes success isn’t just about what you build. It’s about who gets to come home, who gets an opportunity, and what the next generation inherits. In this episode:• Longo’s journey from American football to commercial cannabis• Discovering cannabis after a serious shoulder injury• Bringing California experience back to Hawke’s Bay• Māori land, whenua and the meaning behind Aho Farms• Cannabis stigma and changing family perspectives• Creating jobs and opportunities for whānau• Patient affordability and access in New Zealand• Regulatory barriers facing medicinal cannabis cultivators• Building a business without sacrificing your values• Longo’s vision for the next ten years 🎧 Listen, subscribe and join the AusCannaFamily. 💚 Support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/auscannapodcast 📩 Have a question for a future guest? Email [email protected] Chapters: * Not So Rapid Fire (2:24) * From Law School to American Football (17:23) * The Injury That Changed His Relationship with Cannabis (21:56) * Learning the Cannabis Business from the Ground Up (23:16) * Bringing California Knowledge Back to Aotearoa (25:45) * Coming Home and Building with Family (26:54) * Breaking Down Cannabis Stigma (29:41) * Cannabis, Pain and Quality of Life (34:32) * The Meaning Behind the Name Aho Farms (35:44) * Commercial Growth Without Compromising Values (36:42) * Medicinal Cannabis, Māori Opportunity and Patient Access (39:35) * The Cost of Accessing Medicinal Cannabis in New Zealand (40:41) * The Regulatory Barriers Facing Cultivators (43:35) * Different Countries, Different Standards (45:27) * Changing the Family Tree: Longo’s Ten-Year Vision (48:35) * Wrap Up (50:40) Show Notes: * San Francisco 49ers Where to Find Longo Reo Te Kooro: * Aho Farms on Instagram * Longo on LinkedIn * Aho Farms Website Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

🌿 What happens to cannabis between harvest and the moment a patient opens the tub? Christina visits Matthew Dent, Operations Manager at Wangara Cultivation Co.'s Queensland facility, to talk about the part of the process patients rarely see: what happens after harvest, and how much can change before a tub reaches your hands. Matt challenges the idea that big buds and high THC numbers equal quality, and asks what “craft” means if the flower isn’t fresh by the time it reaches a patient. 💸 They break down a hypothetical $150 tub, discuss whether Australian-grown cannabis can compete with imports, and make the case for shorter, more local supply chains. 🚗 The conversation also turns to Queensland’s medicinal cannabis driving laws and whether the industry is doing enough to stand up for patients. Recorded on the road, on the farm, and eventually on the move… thanks to an impeccably timed molasses delivery! Chapters: * Rapid Fire (2:25) * What Does “Craft” Actually Mean? (12:55) * Can Cannabis Actually Be Too Old? (15:44) * Can You Scale Craft and Stay Fresh? (22:25) * Australian Grown vs Imported Cannabis (27:09) * Should Australian Cannabis Cost More? (33:23) * Where Does the Money From Your $150 Jar Actually Go? (38:01) * What Does Quality Look Like From a Patient’s Side? (48:00) * What Are Patients Actually Getting From Medicinal Cannabis? (56:08) * Is the Australian Cannabis Market Too Crowded? (1:03:00) * What Does Australian Cannabis Look Like in Five Years? (1:07:18) * Is THC Actually a Quality Marker? (1:13:24) * Freshness, Price and the Cannabis Supply Chain (1:15:44) * What Is Wangara Trying to Prove? (1:18:00) * Final Thoughts (1:20:00) Show Notes: * Queensland parliament passes harsher drug and drink driving penalties Where to Find Matthew: * Wangara on Instagram * Matthew on LinkedIn * Wangara Website Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected] * 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

🌱 Lenny and Kevin Jack from Wildwood Weed have been growing cannabis since the 1980s. Back then, there was no legal industry, no rulebook and certainly no one handing them a cultivation manual. They learned by doing, made plenty of mistakes, lost genetics, and kept going. Decades later, they’ve made the jump into the legal market, but they’ve deliberately stayed small and hands-on. Because for them, growing better cannabis means paying attention to the plant, not just chasing bigger numbers. 🌿 We talk legacy growing, legalisation, genetics, pheno hunting, terpenes and why THC isn’t the whole story and yes, we find out how Skuncle got its name. Chapters: * Rapid Fire (2:25) * From Outlaws to Pioneers (10:01) * Making the Jump to Legal Cannabis (13:21) * Why Stay Small? (17:52) * Genetics, Pheno Hunting & Finding the One (21:36) * Beyond THC (27:11) * Has Cannabis Become Too Complicated? (32:10) * Staying Hands On (34:41) * What Would You Tell Your Younger Self? (34:41) * The Future of Cannabis (38:59) * Wrap up (45:10) Show Notes: * Oasis - Champagne Supernova * Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way Where to Find Lenny & Kevin: * Wildwood Weed on Instagram * Wildwood Weed Website Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected] * 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

Bill grew up with the message that cannabis was bad news. For years, he accepted it without really questioning it. Then curiosity got the better of him. What followed became the story behind his book, Drenched in Wonder. In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Bill joins Christina for a wide-ranging conversation about cannabis, creativity, stigma, vulnerability and what happens when you finally start questioning what you’ve been told. He shares how cannabis became intertwined with his creative process, why he believes it can help him connect seemingly unrelated ideas, and how holding onto a sense of childlike wonder has shaped the way he experiences the world. But this isn’t a story without difficult chapters. Bill opens up about one of his most challenging experiences with cannabis, what he learned from getting too high, and how a lack of meaningful education contributed to what happened. That experience ultimately became part of the reason he decided to share his story publicly. From there, the conversation expands into the wider cannabis community, stigma, advocacy and Bill’s first real deep dive into the Australian cannabis industry. And yes, somewhere along the way, we compared the cannabis industry to high school. At its heart, this is a conversation about curiosity, education and the power of honest stories. About being willing to question what we’ve been taught, stay open to new ideas and, perhaps most importantly, hold onto a little bit of wonder along the way. Chapters: * Rapid Fire (2:45) * Creativity, Curiosity and the Inner Child (16:36) * Stop and Smell the Flowers (20:28) * Why We Need to Talk About Cannabis Honestly (22:09) * From “Bad News” to Curiosity (27:42) * When “Too High” Becomes a Reality (32:00) * What We Weren't Taught About Cannabis (35:35) * The Problem With “Just Say No” (39:11) * Where Is the Cannabis Industry When Change Is Happening? (41:25) * Is There Stigma Inside the Cannabis Industry? (50:49) * What Comes Next for Bill? (54:09) * Be the Change You Want to See (56:38) * You're Not Alone (58:03) * Respect the Plant (59:04) * Wrap Up (1:03:30) Show Notes: * Bill’s Drenched In Wonder Spotify Playlist * Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey * World Domination Summit * The Midnight Gospel * This is your brain on drugs commercial Where to Find Bill Simpson: * @tapdancingbill on Instagram * Bill on Facebook * Drench In Wonder Website Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected] * 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, I sit down with Jenny Hillam, one of the people who was willing to stand up and fight for cannabis patients long before doing so was easy, accepted, or particularly safe. Jenny shares the story of how cannabis became part of her own life, how that led her into advocacy, and what happened when helping other people turned into something much bigger than she ever expected. We talk about the early days of cannabis advocacy in Australia, making medicine when there was very little information available, the patients who came looking for help, and the moment the police came knocking. Jenny also opens up about the legal battle that followed, facing the possibility of 18 years in prison, the decision to plead guilty, and the part of that experience she still struggles with today. But this conversation goes well beyond Jenny’s story. We talk about where Australian cannabis advocacy has come from, where it has fallen short, the importance of evidence, the role of patients, and what Jenny thinks needs to happen if we actually want to see meaningful change. There are some stories you hear and move on from. And some that stay with you. I think Jenny’s is one of them. Chapters: * Rapid Fire (2:00) * If You Don’t Try, You’ll Never Know (15:34) * From Patient to Advocate (15:51) * Figuring It Out When Nobody Would Tell Her How (18:16) * “I Was Playing God” (26:27) * When Helping People Came at a Cost (27:09) * “If You Haven’t Got Haters, You’re Not Doing It Right” (31:49) * The Raid (31:54) * Eighteen Years, $300,000 and No Way Out (38:51) * The Hardest Day of Her Life (41:51) * Criminal, Pariah, Legend (43:34) * Free the F*****g Plant (48:28) * Stop Watching. Start Fighting (51:05) * We Need to Support Each Other (54:20) * What Jenny Wishes People Understood (55:01) * Still Fighting (56:52) * The Next Fight Is the Evidence (58:18) * Get Mad. Get Involved. (61:25) * Wrap Up (62:12) Show Notes: * Cannabis oil advocate Jenny Hallam spared conviction for supplying medicinal cannabis * Norman Rockwell Where to Find Guest: * Jenny on Instagram Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected] * 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

Most conversations about cannabis reform focus on policy. This one focuses on people. In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Christina McMullan sits down with Xavier Menta to explore the relationship between lived experience, advocacy, and political engagement and what it looks like when someone chooses to step beyond frustration and into participation. Xavier shares how his journey through injury and recovery led him into the cannabis space, and eventually into grassroots organising, election campaigns, and community-led initiatives like The Grassroots Collective. Rather than speaking about the system from the outside, this conversation looks at what happens when patients step inside it and the challenges, tensions, and opportunities that come with that. This episode explores:🌿 The gap between patients and policy🗳️ Why cannabis reform requires more than observation🧠 What happens inside polling booths and election campaigns🤝 The role of community in shaping the future of cannabis in Australia If you’re interested in where cannabis reform is heading, and the role individuals play in shaping it… This conversation offers a grounded, real-world perspective. Chapters: * Rapid Fire: Meet Xavier Menta (01:54) * The Workplace Injury That Changed Everything (08:08) * When the Painkillers Weren't Enough (14:32) * Why Cannabis Changed Everything (20:47) * From Recovery to Advocacy (27:15) * What I Learned Working Election Booths (35:02) * The Biggest Myth About Voting (43:26) * Building The Grassroots Collective (50:41) * Why Community Beats Complaining (57:18) Show Notes: * Sir Joseph Banks and the Question of Hemp by Dr John Giggins * Kyla Canna Curious * Daniel Let’s Budvocate * Hemp Building Directory * Anthony Bourdain Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly * The Grassroots Collective on Facebook * The Grassroots Collective on Instagram * The Grassroots Collective Email [email protected] Where to Find Xavier: * Xavier on Instagram * Xavier on LinkedIn * Xavier on Facebook Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected] * 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

In this episode of The AusCannaPodcast, Christina sits down with Erick Englehart, founder of Buttheadz Grow Shop, Buttheadz Organic Soil, and the Buttheadz Growers Club, for a conversation that starts with living soil and grows into something much bigger. From his early days growing in the era of brick weed to building a purpose-driven community, Erick shares how cannabis can be a tool for connection, education, and real impact. We talk soil health, cultivation misconceptions, and why what’s happening beneath the plant matters just as much as what’s above it. But this isn’t just about growing cannabis. It’s about breaking stigma, supporting patients, building community gardens, and creating spaces where people can learn, connect, and give back. Erick’s work shows what cannabis culture can look like when it’s rooted in purpose, not just product. This episode covers:🌱 Living soil and why it matters🧪 The biggest misconceptions in cannabis cultivation🤝 Building community through education and access💬 Challenging stigma and advocating for patients🎯 Growing with intention, not just yield If you care about cannabis, community, or doing things differently, this one’s for you. Chapters: * Rapid Fire (2:44) * From Brick Weed to Building a Movement (7:42) * The Soil Secrets Most Growers Get Wrong (13:36) * How a Grow Shop Became a Community (23:24) * Cannabis Is Just the Vehicle (29:11) * Why We Keep Fighting the Stigma (35:54) * Teaching the Next Generation to Grow (41:35) * The Best Crops for Beginner Gardeners (43:48) * What’s Next for Buttheadz? (48:23) * Wrap Up (51:30) Show Notes: * Crisco * Southern Illinois University (SIU) cannabis science and horticulture courses * SIU Hemp Cannabis Symposium Where to Find Erick: * Buttheadz Soil on TikTok * Buttheadz Grow Shop on Instagram * Buttheadz Organic Soil Company on LinkedIn * Buttheadz on Facebook * Buttheadz YouTube Channel * Buttheadz Website Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected] * 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

How often do you actually stop and think about why you’re using cannabis? In this episode, Christina sits down with Daniel Robinson Croft, founder at Let’s Budvocate to explore something that doesn’t get talked about enough: the difference between intentional use and just doing what we’ve always done. Because whether it’s chasing higher THC, sticking to the same habits, or not questioning our patterns… It’s easy to fall into autopilot without even realising it. We get into: * What intentional cannabis use actually looks like 🤔 * Why tolerance breaks don’t have to mean quitting cold turkey 🔄 * The role of harm reduction in everyday consumption 🛠️ * How stigma still shows up — even for people who use cannabis themselves 🧠 * And why learning to advocate for yourself as a patient really matters 🗣️ This isn’t about telling you what to do; it’s about giving you the tools to understand your own patterns and make decisions that actually work for you. If you’ve ever found yourself going through the motions with your cannabis use… this one’s worth a listen. 🎧 Chapters: * Rapid Fire (2:00) * From Mental Health to Cannabis Advocacy (13:03) * Why Cannabis Education Is Broken (17:43) * Where Cannabis Stigma Comes From (19:20) * Harm Reduction (What It Actually Means) (22:15) * Tolerance Breaks Are Done Wrong (25:32) * Can You Use Cannabis Daily Intentionally? (32:59) * Are You Using on Autopilot? (34:02) * Is Cannabis Helping You… or Not? (36:08) * Why You Should Care About CBG, CBD & More (37:02) * What’s Changing in Cannabis Right Now (39:32) * The One Thing to Change After This Episode (41:23) Show Notes: * Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari * Does holding cannabis smoke in longer make a difference? Where to Find Daniel Robinson Croft: * Let’s Budvocate on Instagram * Daniel on LinkedIn * Let’s Budvocate Website Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected] * 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Christina sits down with Columbia University chemist and professor Colin P. Nuckolls and systems strategist Alec Koudijs to unpack a hard truth about medicinal cannabis. 👉 It is far less predictable than most people think. Patients are often making decisions with limited information. Strain names, basic COAs, and a whole lot of trust. But even when the label is accurate, it still does not tell you how a product will actually affect you. So why can two people take the same product and have completely different experiences? 🧠 This conversation explores metabolism, delivery methods, and the biology behind why cannabis behaves so differently from one person to the next. 🌿 Flower, oils, and edibles are not interchangeable. This episode breaks down what is happening in the body, including first-pass metabolism, and why oral products can feel delayed, inconsistent, or sometimes ineffective for certain patients. ⚡ The discussion then shifts into emerging approaches like nanotechnology, and what a faster onset and improved absorption could mean for predictability, control, and overall patient experience. No scripts. No polished answers. Just an honest, science-informed conversation about what is actually happening beneath the surface, and what patients really need from modern cannabis medicine. Chapters: * Rapid Fire (3:00) * Patient Reality: Limited Info & Blind Trust (7:00 * Cultivar Names vs Real Genetics (10:30) * Trust vs COAs: What Matters (13:30 * Why Cannabis Affects Everyone Differently (17:00) * Flower & Vaporisation Explained (20:00) * You’re Not Just Consuming the Plant (25:30) * Why Oils Are Inconsistent (30:00) * When Oils Don’t Work (34:00) * Edibles: Same Dose, Different Outcomes (37:30) * First-Pass Metabolism Explained (42:30) * What Is Nanotechnology? (46:30) * Why Nano Works (50:30) * Not All Nano Is Equal (55:00) * Predictability & Dosing Control (58:30) * The “Clean” Nano Experience (1:02:30) * Future of Delivery Systems (1:06:30) * Wrap Up (1:10:30) Show Notes: * Dr Adder Book * Pink Boost Goddess Where to Find Colin & Alec: * Colin on LinkedIn * Alec on LinkedIn Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected] * 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

What happens when the science is advancing, patient numbers are growing, and outcomes are improving... yet stigma and misinformation continue to dominate the conversation? In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Christina sits down with Matt Shales, Founder and CEO of MediCann Health and MediCann Clinics, for a wide-ranging discussion about the current state of medicinal cannabis in Australia and where the industry may be heading next. From patient access and clinic models to prescribing trends, product quality, education, and policy reform, Matt shares his unique perspective from the front lines of one of Australia’s leading medicinal cannabis clinic networks. They also explore some of the emerging research that isn’t getting nearly enough attention, including promising studies involving CBD and endometriosis, concussion recovery, and why real-world patient outcomes often tell a very different story from headline-grabbing laboratory studies. Along the way, they discuss: 🌿 Why high-THC products aren’t always the answer 🌿 The growing disconnect between experienced patients and traditional healthcare models 🌿 How stigma continues to influence policy, prescribing, and public perception 🌿 Why Australia’s driving laws remain one of the biggest barriers facing patients 🌿 The role education will play in the next phase of industry growth 🌿 What a truly patient-centred cannabis system could look like in Australia Most importantly, this conversation explores a question that continues to shape the future of medicinal cannabis: How do we bridge the gap between what the evidence is showing, what patients are experiencing, and what the broader community understands? Whether you’re a patient, healthcare professional, industry stakeholder, or simply curious about the future of medicinal cannabis, this episode offers an honest, balanced, and insightful look at where we are today and where we may be headed tomorrow. Chapters: * Rapid Fire (3:17) * The Endometriosis Trial No One’s Talking About (16:00) * Cannabis & Concussion: New Research (19:20) * Cannabis Stigma in Science & Medicine (21:00) * From Diver to Cannabis Founder (23:00) * Why Matt Started a Cannabis Clinic (25:25) * Are Clinics Actually Helping Patients? (26:58) * Managing Patient Expectations (Reality vs Hype) (29:15) * “We’re Not the Gatekeepers” (32:31) * When Doctors Get It Wrong (34:15) * The Truth Behind Product Recommendations (36:00) * CBD vs THC: What Patients Get Wrong (37:00) * The Future of Over-the-Counter CBD (39:00) * Aussie Growers Are Struggling (40:00) * The Ideal Cannabis System… Matt’s Vision (44:02) * Driving Laws vs Reality (49:45) * Matt’s Call to Action… Hemp for Animals, Environment & More (56:01) Show Notes: * Ananda Hemp and Ecofiber * Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics * Hemp Brothers * Cannabinoids in Traumatic Brain Injury Study (Funding for this project was provided by MediCann Health Aust Pty Ltd.) Where to Find Matt Shales: * Matt on LinkedIn * MediCann Health Website Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected] * 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

Cannabis reform in Australia is no longer a fringe issue… but why does meaningful change still feel so slow? In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Christina sits down with lawyer, activist and former Senate candidate Miles Hunt for a wide-ranging conversation about cannabis prohibition, harm minimisation, politics, stigma and the future of reform in Australia. Miles shares his journey from working inside the legal system to becoming a public advocate for cannabis and drug law reform, including the personal risks and stigma that can come with speaking openly about cannabis in Australia. Together, they discuss: 🌱 Why prohibition has failed ⚖️ Medicinal cannabis driving laws 🏛️ Why politicians may privately support reform but publicly avoid it 🧠 Media fear mongering and public perception 💊 Pill testing and harm reduction 🏡 Hemp industries and sustainable futures 🔥 Why MardiGrass remains so important for the movement 📈 Whether Australia could legalise cannabis within the next decade This episode is thoughtful, honest, hopeful and deeply grounded in the reality of where cannabis reform currently sits in Australia. Chapters: * Rapid Fire (3:06) * From Lawyer to Drug Law Reform Advocate (13:22) * Why Adult Use Markets Reduce Harm (16:01) * The Risks of Public Cannabis Advocacy (17:39) * Parenting, Stigma & Speaking Publicly (19:00) * First Impressions of MardiGrass (23:40) * Stigma vs Science in Cannabis Prohibition (26:38) * Why Does Australia Still Criminalise Cannabis in 2026? (29:01) * Media Fear Mongering & Public Perception (31:31) * Pill Testing & Harm Reduction (34:50) * Why Australia Needs Federal Cannabis Frameworks (36:36) * What Realistic Reform Looks Like (39:39) * Hemp, Sustainability & Economic Opportunity (41:44) * What Keeps Miles Optimistic (45:12) * Final Thoughts & Where To Follow Miles (49:01) Show Notes: * On The Road - Jack Kerouac * Thievery Corporation * Eathan Nadelmann MardiGrass Talk * Drug Law Reform Australia * Unharm Website * Sydney Morning Herald Article from 2013… Lawyer: ‘I’ve used drugs’ * Hempcrete Where to Find Miles: * Miles on Instagram * Miles on Facebook Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question? Email [email protected] * 💚 Want to support the podcast? Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

This episode of AusCannaPodcast was recorded fresh off the back of Nimbin MardiGrass 2026. Christina sits down with Kyla de Clifford from CannaCuriousAus and Ruby Mary Botanicals to unpack the real heartbeat of MardiGrass beyond the headlines, including the very first Women’s Morning Tea, a space Kyla had dreamed of creating for years before finally bringing it to life this year. Together, they explore the cannabis community, women’s health, stigma, perimenopause, cannabinoids, patient education, storytelling, and why emotionally safe conversations matter just as much as access itself. This episode moves between laughter and vulnerability as Kyla opens up about her own changing relationship with cannabis, the importance of journaling and understanding your body, and the power of community in an industry that can still feel isolating and heavily male-dominated. More than anything, this episode is about connection. About the spaces we create for each other. About fighting stigma through honesty. And about the people quietly holding the cannabis community together behind the scenes. 👉 Got a Rapid Fire? Email them to [email protected]. 💚 Want to support the podcast? Tap the Buy Me a Coffee link in the show notes! Chapters: * Rapid Fire (2:40) * Why 2026 MadriGrass Felt Different (8:20) * The Story Behind the Women’s Morning Tea (9:15) * Buddy Systems, First-Timers & Finding Your Place (10:45) * Hempcrete, Hemp Farming & The Future of Hemp (12:30) * Why Women Need Different Cannabis Conversations (15:14) * Dry Vaginas, Shame & Safe Spaces (24:01) * The Hidden Labour of Cannabis Advocacy (27:11) * Politicians, Grassroots Movements & Changing Perspectives (30:12) * Why Nimbin Still Matters (35:33) * The Things You Learn During End-of-Life Conversations (38:29) * People Need Better Access to Feeling Understood (40:39) * Everybody Needs Cheerleaders (42:30) * Kyla’s Hopes For Women In The Future (45:00) * Final Thoughts (47:40) Show Notes: * Chumbawamba - Tubthumping * Nimbin MardiGrass * High on Hormones: Women, Sex and Cannabis Where to Find Kyla de Clifford: * @CannaCuriousAus on Instagram * Kyla on LinkedIn * @CannaCuriousAus on TikTok * Ruby Mary Botanicals Website * The Canna Curious Podcast Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * Email [email protected] * Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, Christina McMullan sits down with pharmacist Neda Beric from CannCompounding to explore the evolving role of cannabinoid therapies in Women’s Health. Neda works directly with prescribers and patients to develop and refine compounded cannabinoid formulations tailored to individual needs. Her approach is grounded in real-world patient feedback, where treatment is continuously adjusted based on lived experience, symptom response, and quality of life outcomes. This episode highlights a shift in Women’s Health care towards more responsive, individualised treatment models, where patient experience is not an afterthought, but a core part of clinical decision making. 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question you want me to ask a guest? Email them to [email protected]. I love including questions from the community! 💚 Want to support the podcast? Tap the Buy Me a Coffee link in the show notes! In this episode, we cover a lot of topics, including: * Rapid Fire (2:16) * Why Women’s Health Needs More Attention (10:19) * How Compounded Cannabis Actually Works (13:45) * A Real Patient Journey (Start to Adjustment) (15:01) * Hormones, Cycles & Why Timing Matters (18:05) * Perimenopause & Unpredictable Treatment Needs (20:01) * When Treatment Isn’t Working (And What to Do) (22:50) * Small Tweaks, Big Changes (25:02) * The Role of Patient Feedback (26:00) * Why Patients Just Want to Feel Normal Again (28:00) * What Patients Wish Doctors Understood (31:30) * The Future of Cannabis in Women’s Health (32:18) * Fast-Acting Formulations & Nano Tech (33:40) * Don’t Give Up: Finding What Works for You (37:00) * Reducing Stigma & Final Takeaways (41:00) Show Notes: * Alan Watts Where to Find Neda and Cann Compounding: * Cann Compounding on Instagram * Cann Compounding Email [email protected] * Cann Compounding on LinkedIn * Cann Compounding Website Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * Email [email protected] * Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

What if the most important part of your cannabis experience happens before the plant is even grown? In this episode of the AusCannaPodcast, I sit down with Chase, founder of Umami Seed Co., to explore the world of cannabis genetics, phenohunting, and what it really takes to create a cultivar worth building around. With over 20 years in the space, Chase shares how a single decision early in his growing journey sparked a lifelong obsession with breeding, and why today, that same process can take years to refine. We unpack the reality behind phenohunting, why most cultivars never make the cut, and what separates something that’s simply “good” from something that truly stands out. But this conversation goes deeper than genetics. In an industry where patients often don’t see what happens behind the scenes, we explore the role of trust, how much of the cannabis experience is shaped at the genetic level, and why flavour, terpene profiles, and subtle chemical differences can completely change how a product feels. From the early days of weed to global expansion across medical markets, this is a grounded, honest look at the evolution of cannabis and the people shaping its future. 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question you want me to ask a guest? Email them to [email protected]. I love including questions from the community! 💚 Want to support the podcast? Tap the Buy Me a Coffee link in the show notes! In this episode, we cover a lot of topics, including: * Rapid Fire (2:28) * Falling in Love with Cannabis Genetics (15:15) * From Brick Weed to Boutique Bud… It’s a Stark Difference! (18:45) * Trust, Genetics & Industry Transparency… Is Cannabis Built on Trust or Blind Faith? (22:50) * No Compromise Philosophy (29:15) * What Keeps Chase Up At Night? (30:12) * The Reality of Pheno Hunting (33:55) * Terpenes, Flavour & the “Umami” Concept (40:01) * What Makes a Cultivar “10/10” (42:00) * Patient Perspective: Effects vs Genetics (44:58) * Global Cannabis: Regulations & Chaos (52:01) * Prefecting Craft Cannabis on a Global Scale (53:44) * Classic vs Modern Breeding… Why both can coexist (56:30) * Passion Over Profit (60:02) * Where to Find Umami (64:00) Show Notes: * Umami Seed Co YouTube Channel * Terpene of the Month: Terpinolene Where to Find Chase: * Umami Seed Co on Twitter/X * Umami Seed Co on Instagram * Umami Seed Co on LinkedIn * Umami Seed Co on Facebook * Umamai Seed Co Website Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * Email [email protected] * Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com

There’s a shift happening in the Australian medicinal cannabis industry. As the space grows and becomes more commercial, many are starting to ask the same question: Are we losing the patient voice? In this episode, I sit down with Bee Mohamed, a government relations and advocacy professional working at the intersection of policy and lived experience, to unpack where things really stand. We talk about the move from grassroots advocacy to industry growth, and the growing disconnect between decision-making and real patient experience. Bee shares why lived experience needs to go beyond tokenism and be embedded into how policy is actually shaped. Plus, we explore what it would take to bring patients back into the centre of the conversation. We also get practical. From patient-led events to better industry support for advocacy, this isn’t just about what’s broken… It’s about what we can build next. Because this space was created for patients, and the future of it depends on whether we keep them at the centre. 👉 Got a Rapid Fire question you want me to ask a guest? Email them to [email protected]. I love including questions from the community! 💚 Want to support the podcast? Tap the Buy Me a Coffee link in the show notes! In this episode, we cover a lot of topics, including: * Rapid Fire (2:04) * From Grassroots to Growth: Are We Losing the Patient Voice? (10:02) * The Problem With “Patient Consultation” (TGA Breakdown) (14:01) * Why Patient Stories Actually Change Policy (19:01) * When Profit Enters: Has the Industry Shifted Too Far… What Can You Do For Me? (22:58) * Collaboration vs Gatekeeping: What Needs to Change (28:57) * “The Peace Pipe”: A New Kind of Patient Event… Looking For Sponsors (31:15) * Can Companies Support Advocacy Without Breaking the Rules? (34:01) * Outdated Systems: Prescribing, Access & Education Gaps (37:01) * What Needs to Happen Next (Patients, Clinicians, Industry) (41:58) * The Meaning Behind Mata & Storytelling as Medicine (45:01) * Full Circle Moment (49:00) Show Notes: * The Mata Collective Website * Drive Change * Toowoomba’s Carnival of Flowers 2026 Where to Find Bee: * Bee on SubStack (The Mata Collective) * Bee on Instagram * Bee on LinkedIn Where to Find Christina: * @AusCannaReviews on SubStack * @AusCannaReviews on Instagram * @AusCannaReviews on Twitter/X * Email [email protected] * Buy Me A Coffee/AusCannaPodcast This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit auscannareviews.substack.com